Islamabad battles water crisis

Islamabad, June 16 (IANS) Pakistani capital Islamabad seems to be headed for a hard time following no rains. The city is left with water barely enough to sustain its requirements beyond a month, a media report said.

The water supply to the capital from the country’s Simly Dam and other sources would last a month, and emergency situation could arise in case it doesn’t rain in time, Daily Times reported Saturday.

With the start of the summer, lack of rains aggravated the water shortage in the capital, as water consumption increased manifolds. The capital receives water supply from Simly Dam, Khanpur Dam, 180 tube-wells and tankers.

The water level in Simly Dam has reached 2,260 feet which is just enough to meet three weeks’ needs.

According to a Captial Development Authority (CDA) official, water reservoir for the dwellers of the capital would be able to meet demand just for a month.

If the monsoon season did not start in the coming weeks, the authority would have to rely on tube-wells and water tankers to ensure provision of water supply to citizens, he added.

In case of emergency situation regarding water shortage, it would be tackled with the help of the Punjab government and water tankers of the Pakistan Army, he added.